| Guyana’s food security – moving to the next level |  |  |  |
| Written by GINA |
| Wednesday, 31 October 2012 22:28 |
GUYANA’S achievement of food security has resulted from programmes established by the PPP/C administration which ensured that the nation is producing enough food to feed every household. N  Fresh and processed fruits and vegetables The achievement of food security was the basis on which the Jagdeo Initiative, a regional programme, was conceptualised by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was responsible for agriculture in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Following the outline of the programme are several initiatives being pursued to help realise a ‘new agriculture vision’ for Guyana and the Caribbean, which is set on the premise of the Initiative. The ‘new agriculture vision’ aims at making the sector more than food production by exploring the numerous opportunities that exist for agro-businesses, creating more employment, and increasing export earnings and the incomes of all stakeholders, especially farmers. The recent call by Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Leslie Ramsammy for subsistence farming to move to the level of creating wealth for farmers follows the Initiative as it identifies and defines key, crucial and binding constraints to agriculture repositioning in Guyana. The focus will see the development of practical interventions to overcome  Special breeds of pigs distributed to farmers to boost the swine industry Moving ahead  Black pepper vine growing and fruiting, Region 1 While government provides the framework, farmers, technicians and other stakeholders continue to examine and achieve successes in the way forward. Cushioned by food security, citizens are now becoming more careful to make healthy choices in the foods they eat and in adopting healthy lifestyles. While malnutrition has been reduced drastically across the country to single-digit percentages, Vitamin A deficiency which has plagued other countries around the world, no longer exists in Guyana. Farmers are being urged to increase economic gains in terms of exporting value-added products, but for this to be done food importation has to be reduced, not only in Guyana, but across the Region. Guyana’s food importation is unsustainable with an annual import bill of US$200M. And so there is no reasonable chance for local farmers and producers. Items such as onions, potatoes, spices, broccoli, cauliflower, milk, cabbages, processed and canned foods are among other crops produced locally, and yet they are imported, either raw, or canned. Guyanese need to be proud of their produce and focus more on local production.  Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and youths at an agricultural event Breeds Model farms  Rearing tilapia Non-traditional crops such as pumpkins and eddoes are now being exported in larger quantities, with the configuration of the Grow More Food campaign, not just adding more and better food to the local tables, but ensuring that more local foods are found on the tables of people’s homes and restaurants in cities and communities outside of the country’s borders. The experiment with spice production, which has proved successful thus far, is also aimed at reducing the food import bill. Spices such as black pepper, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and others are being promoted, as well as green seasoning, pepper, ketchup and other garnishes. The large market potential for these products in the Caribbean and farther afield is being examined and looks heartening. Research Fishery |